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The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss is a wristwatch model introduced by
In 2007, Rolex brought back the Milgauss after nearly 20 years, as model number 116400. The model initially came in three versions: A black dial with white batons and orange squares on the minute track at the batons; a white dial with orange batons and orange minute track; a black dial with orange and white batons and a green sapphire crystal. The Milgauss was the only Rolex produced with a tinted crystal.
Because of its internal magnetic shield the Milgauss is thicker than the Submariner, but the same width. It weighs 157 grams. The Milgauss is available only in 904L polished stainless steel, which is extremely resistant to scratches and corrosion. Apart from its resistance to magnetic fields, the Milgauss' most unusual feature is its orange lightning-bolt second hand, a unique feature originally introduced with the 6541 Milgauss model.
In 2008, the recommended retail price was $6,200 and it was selling at or below this price. A short time before its release, resellers and retailers were asking as much as double retail in anticipation of the new model. As of 2022, the MSRP for a GV Milgauss is $9,150.
Rolex, the official site.TimeKeeperForum In-Depth ReviewParachrom Blue Hairspring Video
Rolex watches Products introduced in 1956
Rolex
Rolex SA () is a British-founded Swiss watch designer and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1905 as ''Wilsdorf and Davis'' by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, the company registered ''Rolex'' as the brand name of ...
in 1956 with model number 6541. The Milgauss was advertised as “designed to meet the demands of the scientific community working around electromagnetic fields”. The first of its kind, it is capable of withstanding magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss
Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss (; german: Gauß ; la, Carolus Fridericus Gauss; 30 April 177723 February 1855) was a German mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to many fields in mathematics and science. Sometimes refer ...
and became known for being worn by scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN (; ; ), is an intergovernmental organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. Established in 1954, it is based in a northwestern suburb of Gene ...
(CERN) in Geneva
Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...
. Its resistance to magnetic interference stems from a shield inside the case made of ferromagnetic alloys, which protects the movement. This shield consists of two components, one screwed to the movement and the other to the case. In addition, its Caliber 3131 movement includes paramagnetic materials.
The name Milgauss is derived from the French ''mille'', which means one-thousand, and gauss, the unit of a magnetic field.
The Rolex Milgauss was discontinued in 2023.
History
The original Milgauss was very similar to the appearance of theRolex Submariner
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner is a line of sports watches designed for diving and manufactured by Rolex, resistant to water and corrosion. The first Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Basel Watch Fair. It was the fir ...
, with an oversized case and bezel, with the Twinlock crown, and a riveted Oyster bracelet. Although the Milgauss went through only two different models (6541, 1019) the Milgauss went through numerous configuration changes before being discontinued in 1986. In the 1960s, Rolex launched the Milgauss ref. 1019. However, this particular model looks so different from its predecessors that at first glance the Milgauss link (aside from the red MILGAUSS text) is not immediately clear.
The Milgauss remains a sought-after model amongst Rolex collectors due to its relatively low sales and popularity during the 1960s and 70s, it has become rare in today's vintage watch market. A vintage Milgauss signed by Tiffany & Co. sold in 2008 for over $32,000.
A Rolex Milgauss was sold by Phillips Auctioneers in May 2023 for 2.24 million Swiss franc
The Swiss franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is also legal tender in the Italian exclave of Campione d'Italia which is surrounded by Swiss territory. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) issues banknotes and the f ...
s (US$2.5 million), setting a new record for the model.
Versions
In 2007, Rolex brought back the Milgauss after nearly 20 years, as model number 116400. The model initially came in three versions: A black dial with white batons and orange squares on the minute track at the batons; a white dial with orange batons and orange minute track; a black dial with orange and white batons and a green sapphire crystal. The Milgauss was the only Rolex produced with a tinted crystal.
Because of its internal magnetic shield the Milgauss is thicker than the Submariner, but the same width. It weighs 157 grams. The Milgauss is available only in 904L polished stainless steel, which is extremely resistant to scratches and corrosion. Apart from its resistance to magnetic fields, the Milgauss' most unusual feature is its orange lightning-bolt second hand, a unique feature originally introduced with the 6541 Milgauss model.
In 2008, the recommended retail price was $6,200 and it was selling at or below this price. A short time before its release, resellers and retailers were asking as much as double retail in anticipation of the new model. As of 2022, the MSRP for a GV Milgauss is $9,150.
See also
*Rolex Daytona
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is a mechanical chronograph wristwatch designed to meet the needs of racing drivers by measuring elapsed time and calculating average speed. Its name refers to Daytona, Florida, where racing flourished in the early 2 ...
* Rolex Day-Date
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is a COSC certified, self-winding Chronometer watch, chronometer manufactured by Rolex. Initially presented in 1956, the Day-Date was the first watch to display the date as well as the day, spelled in full.
T ...
* Rolex Datejust
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust is a certified, self-winding chronometer wristwatch manufactured by Rolex. When it was launched in 1945, the Datejust was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to indicate the date in a window on the ...
* Rolex GMT Master II
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date GMT Master is part of the Rolex Professional Watch Collection. Designed in collaboration with the now defunct Pan American Airways of the United States for use by their pilots and navigators, it was launched in 195 ...
* Rolex Sea Dweller
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller is a line of diver's watches manufactured by Rolex, with an underwater diving depth rating of 1,220 meters (4 000 ft) and up to 3,900 metres (12,800 ft) for the Sea-Dweller Deepsea model. L ...
* Rolex Submariner
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner is a line of sports watches designed for diving and manufactured by Rolex, resistant to water and corrosion. The first Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Basel Watch Fair. It was the fir ...
* Rolex Yacht-Master
The Rolex Yacht-Master is a luxury sports watch manufactured by Rolex and first introduced in 1992 as Reference 16628 in 18-karat yellow gold. In 1994, Rolex released a lady's model (69628) and a mid-size model (68628) at 35mm, marking the first ...
References
{{reflistExternal links
Rolex, the official site.
Rolex watches Products introduced in 1956